About me

I am an experienced counsellor with a warm, empathic and non-judgemental approach, offering affordable long-term and short-term counselling to individuals.

All of us can experience emotional difficulties at some point in our lives. You may feel that you have reached crisis point, or perhaps have a general feeling of being stuck or “on the wrong track”. Perhaps relationships or situations that you could cope with previously now feel hard to manage? Counselling can provide a safe, confidential space in which to talk through problems, gain insight, get general support or focus on more specific concerns such as anxiety, loss or relationship issues.

As a psychodynamic counsellor, I am interested in life experiences and relationships from early in life through to the present day. Sometimes, relational or behavourial patterns in the present can have their roots in early relationships and past experiences, but the connection may not immediately be apparent. Exploring these links within the counselling relationship, can help you to work through confusing and painful emotions, gain insight into yourself and your relationships and move forward in your life. Where it's useful, I will also use a cognitive behavioural approach to challenge unhelpful patterns of thinking or acting.

You may feel unsure about what counselling will involve. Because I understand this and because I believe that a good client/counsellor relationship is the key to working together, I offer a half hour introductory appointment at a cost of only £20; this gives you a chance to see if you feel comfortable with me and my approach to therapy, and I will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. For more details about me and my approach to therapy, please visit my website, www.sophiethornecounselling.com.

Training, qualifications & experience

Training and Qualifications

Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling

Accredited Member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy

Certificate in Creative Communication with Children & Young People

Certificate in Foundations of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Qualified counselling supervisor

As an Accredited member of BACP I adhere to their code of Ethics. I am also fully insured, have regular clinical supervision and undertake continuing professional development in order to work with clients to the very best of my abilities.

Current Work

I work at the Rock Clinic, a charitable organisation offering affordable therapies to the Brighton community; this work is mainly longer-term counselling. I also work as a counselling supervisor.

I work in private practice in Brighton & Hove, offering both long and short term counselling and supervision.

I work at the University of Brighton, providing short-term counselling to students; for several years I worked at the University of Sussex in a similar role.

I work for a charity providing counselling to women who have experienced domestic abuse.

Further information

My counselling room is located in the easily accessible area of Fiveways. There is metered parking immediately outside, with free parking a few streets away. There are frequent buses which stop immediately outside.

I also work at the Rock Clinic in the Kemptown area of Brighton, which is easily accessible by car or bus; there is up to 90 minutes free parking in the Lidl carpark opposite the Clinic.